Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Review – How Do They Perform?

Athletes, runners, roadside (or mountain) bikers, and even swimmers in some cases prefer using what are called bone conduction headphones.

This is mainly due to their open air design which allows you to stay aware of your surroundings. They’re specifically designed to help keep you alert and safe on a busy road or hiking up a windy trail on a mountain.

One thing they are not specifically designed for is use in public or other environments where there are other people within close proximity, which we’ll cover in more detail below. Our Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Review will help you decide whether or not they’re the right choice for you and your needs.

We’ll cover how to wear these bone conduction headphones, the pros and cons of an open air build design, their sonic performance, build design and durability, as well as a few other important features to consider.

Now that you’ve seen some of the basic features, functions, and specifications – let’s take a closer look to see how they perform.

How To Wear Bone Conduction Headphones

Bone conduction headphones are worn with each “ear piece” resting on your temples. The way that they generate audio is by sending vibrations (created by an electrical signal from the headphones) to your cochlea bones.

Once the vibrations are sent to your cochlea bones, the signal travels through your inner ear, activating the stereocilia – completely bypassing your eardrum.

This particular pair of bone ‘phones features a wrap-around headband design. Attached to either side (as seen in the picture above), are the two pieces that will sit in front of your ear and on top of your cochlea.

The main reason this is important to know before you try a pair is because it will not only change the way you wear them, but also the way your music sounds. Since the entire operation relies on creating a vibration in your bones, at louder volumes the vibration tends to surprise first time users.

Do The Vibrations Become Distracting?

Although the vibration created is completely natural, it will probably create a sensation that you’re not used to feeling. This is especially true if you’ve never used them before and you’re looking for a quality first pair to try.

Playing music at louder volumes is usually what causes more noticeable vibrations. Whether or not it gets to a point where it’s so distracting you can’t focus on anything else, tends to vary from person to person.

If you’re picturing the vibration of a powerful subwoofer reverberating around your skull, don’t worry – it’s not even close to that extreme. Most first time users get used to the new feeling pretty quickly. Now that you have the most important background information, let’s dive a little deeper into the Trekz Titanium.

Sonic Performance

Using this style of headphones gives you the sensation that the music is playing around you, rather than directly in your ears.

They don’t necessarily excel in creating ultra-premium, hi-res audio since that’s really not their ultimate purpose to begin with. That being said, their sonic performance is noticeably better compared to some of the other bone ‘phones available.

Low end frequencies and a strong bass response is almost completely lacking compared to most in-ear or over-ear headphones.

What you hear instead, is closer to the sound quality you’d get from a cheaper pair of earbuds like the Sennheiser CX200. If you’re looking for the ultimate, audiophile-level sonic performance, these probably won’t work for you.

If you plan on using them while you’re running or hiking, hi-res sound quality may or may not be your top priority. All this being said, utilizing the EQ preset or bass boost function can help improve overall performance and volume concerns.

For Use In Public – Sound Leakage

Aftershokz implemented their signature technology called LeakSlayer on these ‘phones, which helps minimize any major sound leakage.

As a general rule of thumb, at volumes higher than approx. 75% – anyone within 3 feet will be able to hear your music. At lower volumes, anyone within that distance is a lot less likely to hear anything playing on your headphones.

When you use these in public places or anywhere else you’re not alone (for example running/biking) the sound of your music will leak out. Depending on how loud the volume is turned up, it can create an effect (to a lesser-degree) that’s similar to using a mini Bluetooth speaker.

Here are a few examples of situations where it’s not absolutely ideal to use them (especially at high volumes):

A small, uncrowded coffee shop

Riding on a bus, train, taxi, airplane, or other shared vehicle

At work (depending on your job) or in the library

Most other situations, such as walking down a crowded street, going for a run, bike ride, or hike would be examples of more appropriate times to throw them on and turn up the volume.

The LeakSlayer technology isn’t quite perfect yet, but does a surprisingly great job at preventing a significant amount of sound leakage. Since it’s not quite perfect, some might consider this a slight drawback. Keep in mind that there is an important reason why they’re designed this way (which we’ll cover in more detail below).

Listening On A Windy Day (Or At High Speeds)

Despite being designed for active use, there’s one last thing to consider before moving on to the next section.

If you use these for biking at high speeds (or on an especially windy day) the sound of the music sometimes tends to get muffled out by the rush of the wind. While it doesn’t completely mute the music playing, it will have an effect.

This is another reason why the general consensus on using these while biking isn’t totally positive. Most other reviewers and users agree that these Aftershokz work best for some of the other physical activities. This isn’t to say that they can’t be used for biking, but there are probably better optionsperformance-wise for that purpose.

Build Design & Durability

These are made out of a lightweight and flexible material that’s designed to withstand the regular wear and tear that some headphones can’t.

The outside is wrapped in silicone rubber to help prevent sweat, water, and dust from getting inside and destroying the inner components.

Official Ingress Protection Rating – What It Actually Means

They carry an official IP55 water/dust-resistant rating. This means that they can withstand water sprayed from a nozzle in any direction.

It also means that they’ve been tested for dust protection and were able to keep most of it out. The good news is that most other earbuds don’t carry an official IP or IPX rating and therefore can’t withstand any major punishment. (The only bad news here is that you won’t be able to take these for a swim.)

Button Controls & Bluetooth Activation

The volume control buttons (built-in on the top left area of the headband) also double as the Bluetooth activation control. Holding down the the ‘volume up’ button is also used to turn your headphones on.

Next to those controls is an LED indicator used for Bluetooth pairing as well as gauging how much battery life you have left.

Although there are only 3 main buttons to worry about, they perform a pretty wide variety of functions when pressed simultaneously or held down for a few seconds. (The user guide/owner’s manual details each function and offers step-by-step operating instructions.)

Is It Complicated, Or Easy To Control?

On one hand, the 3-button control system is fairly straightforward and easy to control. On the other hand, it does make skipping tracks, changing EQ settings, and answering calls a bit more complicated.

Most people who workout put their headphones on, pair their device, and go to their favorite workout playlist. Usually, you’ve already added your favorite songs so you won’t need to skip too many tracks.

Although you might have to adjust the volume every now and again – for the majority of the time, you’ll likely be paying more attention to your workout than fumbling around with the button controls.

Is The Wrap-Around Headband Comfortable?

The lightweight build design we detailed above contributes to a more comfortable listening experience overall. One thing you won’t have to worry about is your earbud falling out of your ear (since there aren’t any to put in in the first place).

Constantly readjusting the silicone earbud tips won’t be an issue either which tends to be a common complaint when using regular earbuds for working out.

Getting Used To The Fit and Feel

Due to the open air, bone ‘phone build design, there can be a short period of time where you will have to slightly adjust to the different fit.

For first time users, getting used to the different fit can take some time. Remember that the earbuds do not actually fit inside your ears – they will be resting on your temples.

After some time, you’ll get used to the new fit and feel, and they’ll become more comfortable.

A Few Minor Complaints To Consider

There have been a few minor complaints about them not fitting well when wearing a combination of sunglasses, bike helmet, and the headphones at the same time.

Usually, you can find a way to work around issues like this but some people would rather not bother finding a solution. This is one area that knocks their overall rating down a notch or two. Some users find that they’re usually better-suited for running or another physical activity where you won’t need to wear additional equipment.

Once again, this will depend on your personal preference and choice of clothing, helmets, etc. If you’re someone who doesn’t wear a ton of extra clothing or equipment while you’re running, hiking, or biking, it shouldn’t be a major concern.

What To Expect From The Wrap-around Headband Design

Some headphones with the wrap-around headband design will fit snugly around the back of your neck. However, in this case, the headband is more solid so it will be slightly suspended.

For some, this style of headband is slightly distracting since it can bounce up and down while you’re running. Others prefer this style over the snug fit used on pairs of workout earbuds (like the Bose SoundSport Pulse).

Overall, most users report forgetting that they’re even wearing them after a few minutes or so. For the most part, the wrap-around headband has gotten mostly positive feedback – especially from people who are comparing them against the more standard wireless earbuds.

Who Are These Perfect For? How Well Do They Score (Out Of 10)?

Before you take a look at our final score out of 10, let’s do a quick recap of everything we’ve covered so far.

Here are some of the main takeaways to consider. If you’re a runner, someone who enjoys jogging (or going on walks), a hobby cyclist, or you enjoy taking hikes – these will be right up your alley.

If you’re a competitive cyclist and don’t think you’ll have enough room on your head for another piece of gear – these might not be the best fit.

Lastly, if you enjoy doing some casual exercise from time to time and this review has peaked your interest – they should live up to your expectations.

Overall, we recommend giving them a try if you’re not satisfied with your current pair of workout headphones, or just want to try something new. As long as you realize that you’re paying for things like sweat-resistance, a very durable build design, and the ability to hear your surroundings while listening to music – you will be more than satisfied.

Take a look at the review table below to see our final rating out of 10, the main pros/cons, as well as which features stand out the most. If you decide that you’re interested, use the link here or click the button at the bottom of the review table to see more customer reviews, star ratings, and/or to check the current price.

We hope you enjoyed this post and that you found our Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Review helpful in making your decision. If you have any questions that weren’t answered above, feel free to ask below.

What do you think? Do you think these bone ‘phones will exceed, or fall short of your expectations? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll be sure to respond as quickly as we can!